EUROPA LEAGUE MD5 TIPS: RANGERS TO ROHL OVER IN BRAGA CLASH
The Europa League is back – with British interest at either end of the standings.
Rangers, rooted to the foot of the table with zero points, desperately have to beat SC Braga while Aston Villa have a slim chance of going top against Swiss side Young Boys.
Meanwhile, Celtic travel to Feyenoord in what is likely to be Martin O’Neill’s last game in charge and a revitalised Nottingham Forest have a home game against Malmo.
We’ve scoured the fixture list and have completed three of the best bets for Matchday 5…
Tip 1 – Braga to beat Rangers @ 5/4
Rangers’ Europa League campaign has been a nightmare.
Sitting 36th in the table, they face an uphill battle for even a play-off spot and defeat here would surely mean goodnight to that.
After four defeats from four and just one goal scored, the Gers face Braga at Ibrox on Matchday 5.
The Portuguese side have lost just once away from home in all competitions this season – to Premeira Liga leaders Porto – and have already left Glasgow with three points in the Europa League after running out 2-0 winners at Celtic.
They are fifth in the league phase standings and in with a strong shout of automatic qualification for the knockout stages. Rangers must realistically win to stand any chance of progression but yet more off-field turmoil in a season to forget – in the shape of CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell’s sackings – won’t make things any easier for Danny Rohl’s men.
A victory here would put the Portuguese side on 12 points and 5/4 for Braga to win the match represents strong value in a game between two sides that have had contrasting Europa League campaigns so far.
Tip 2 – Roma vs Midtjylland draw @ 10/3
Midtjylland top the Europa League league phase and are the only side with a 100% record.
They test that record with a trip to Roma on Thursday – the side that leads the way in Serie A.
The Giallorossi have conceded just 10 goals in 16 games in all competitions so far this season and have won 11 of those matches.
This will be a big test for the Danes but we’re backing them to return from the Italian capital with a point.
They already have impressive away wins at Maccabi Tel Aviv and Nottingham Forest, and have lost only twice in the Danish Superliga. Roma are yet to draw a game but the travelling side always fancy their chances of keeping it tight.
With just 12 goals scored in Serie A nobody in the top nine has scored fewer, while their five scored in the Europa League doesn't set the world alight either.
Midtjylland have shipped just three goals, one of which was a last-minute penalty for Forest, so we aren’t expecting the net to bulge often in this one.
The draw at 10/3 is a sensible shout despite Roma’s lack of a stalemate so far.
If they can get it, this would be a valuable point for the travelling side.
Tip 3 – Igor Jesus to score & be carded vs Malmo @ 10/1
Nottingham Forest face Malmo at the City Ground as they look to build on back-to-back Premier League wins, including an impressive triumph away at champions Liverpool.
Sean Dyche has turned the fortunes of the Tricky Trees around since his arrival and has the boost of Igor Jesus back available after missing the last European game through suspension.
That suspension came about as the Brazilian had picked up three yellow cards in three Europa League games – the same number of goals he has scored.
Despite committing just four fouls in those three games, officials have seen fit to card him on thrice.
With that in mind, and his goal a game European record so far, the 10/1 for him to score and be carded here carries considerable appeal.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
